Tigerettes win important league contest at Fairview

Wednesday, December 19, 2012Anthony S. Puca

Marissa Lyttle (44) had a huge game for the Tigerettes in their 52-38 win at Fairview Friday night, recording a double-double by scoring 12 points and hauling down a dozen rebounds. Photos by Anthony S. Puca

The Marshall County Tigerettes travelled to Fairview Friday night, needing a win after losing three consecutive district tilts in a row and they got it in convincing fashion, scoring a 52-38 victory.

MCHS controlled the game midway through the first period and never let up, holding off a couple of comeback attempts by the Lady Yellow Jackets.

Marissa Lyttle had a huge night in the low post with a double-double, scoring 12 points and hauling down 12 rebounds in the contest.

"Marissa has kind of come out of her shell the last couple games, even though she only had four points in the Page game, she played a great defensive game," said MCHS head coach David Junkins. "Tonight, she played exactly where we needed her to and did what we wanted her to do. She had some huge, huge offensive rebounds in the first half and we are really pleased with Marissa's play."

Morgan Moyers also had a huge night leading all scorers with 17 points and teaming up with Michala Hopkins to hold Fairview's leading scorer Tiffany Franks to just two points and zero field goals in the win.

The MCHS defense blanketed a frustrated Franks all night and eventually caused the Lady Jacket point guard to foul out with 3:44 remaining in the contest.

It was a slow start for both squads as the Tigerettes trailed 6-5 late in the initial period before Hopkins tied the game when she grabbed a rebound and made one of two from the free throw line after being fouled on the put-back attempt.

Moments later, Moyers put the Lewisburg girls in front, driving the lane for a score and the first eight minutes ended with MCHS maintaining the two-point lead at 8-6.

Lyttle and Cierra McDonald traded baskets to begin the second period and the MCHS lead remained at two points at 14-12 before Mecia Reed rained down a three-pointer for the Tigerettes, opening up a five-point lead.

After a Fairview missed shot, Moyers converted a three-point play on another drive to the hoop, forcing a Lady Jacket timeout with 4:17 remaining in the first half.

Tigerette guard Morgan Moyers (3) races in for two of her game-high 17 points on a fast break layup after stealing the ball from Fairview.

Moyers came up with another theft and raced in for a lay-up that spun off the rim, but Hopkins hustled down to snatch the rebound and made one of two at the line after being hacked on the play.

An offensive foul on Fairview gave the rock back to Marshall County and Lyttle scored at the other end in the low post, before converting one of two at the line after another whistle on Fairview.

The score doubled to 24-12 in favor of the Tigerettes, but Fairview got back-to-back baskets by Sara Mangrum and McDonald to make it an eight-point game.

Christy Pettigrew missed two foul shots the next possession, but redeemed herself moments later, converting both ends of a one and one situation and the Tigerettes would go on to lead 28-18 at the half.

At the 5:42 mark in the third quarter, Allison Hargrove drained a three-pointer and followed with another basket, giving the Tigerettes a 15-point lead at 37-22.

The Tigerette defense held firm and MCHS took a 41-29 into the final period.

It was the Morgan Moyers show down the stretch for Marshall County as the senior poured in 10 out of the Tigerettes 13 points in the fourth quarter in the 12-point victory.

The Tigerettes (3-8) stayed in the thick of the District 12-AA race with the win, evening their league record at 3-3.

"I'm pleased we put a couple good games together now, even though we lost against Page, they are by far the favorite in the district," said Junkins. "We would like to have that game against Lewis County and Summit back, but that's behind us and now we have to win each game as we go along and get a good seed in the district tournament."

Hargrove turned in another solid performance with 14 points, while Reed ended up with three points and Pettigrew, Hopkins and Megan Sanders added two markers apiece.

The Tigerettes host Lincoln County on Monday before taking their annual excursion north to the East Nashville Holiday Classic in Nashville on Thursday against West Creek (3-5) at 7 p.m. and on Friday at 4 p.m. versus John Overton (5-6).